Just a reminder that meal service is only included for single ticket registrations.  Groups booking or sharing a lodge are able to cook their meals in their lodge if they so choose or, for an additional $75 per person, can have all meals provided in the dining hall.  If choosing this option, the meals that will be provided will be Monday breakfast through Friday breakfast.  Please call 1.888.MAT.2818 to make food service reservations.  All reservations and final numbers must be made at least 16 days prior to the start of the week your group is attending.  Call and reserve your spots now!

We have this great group of guys coming to That Thing called UpRock.  It’s a group that uses hip-hop, dance, drama and comedy to creatively help students engage the transforming message of Jesus Christ.  They’re going to bring a really awesome flavor to not only our worship sessions, but to some of the afternoon activities, After Hours and the post-Tuesday morning worship session.

First, I want to let you know why I didn’t post anything for the last week…I wanted to keep that last post at the front because I think one of the biggest encouragements our students will hear outside of the holy spirit’s guidance will be seeing people just like them who are stepping out in faith for the least of these.  If you run into any stories like this…I’d love to hear him so that their ministry can be an encourager as well as the ministry it is.

So, Tuesday and Thursday…after the morning session Stan Buck from Sonrise Church is leading the charge for a youth ministry networking and training.  He’s pulling together some amazing resources for the leaders of your churches to gather, be encouraged, be lifted, be guided and to discover one another in ministry.  While this is going on, we will have two great activities for your students.

On Thursday we’ve discovered a great band called Our Hero’s End. They are going to be putting on a 35-40 minute concert for your students in the Beach House after the morning’s worship. Now for me, concerts are even more fun when I’m familiar with the music.  So, I’d encourage you to give it a listen, check it out and pass it around to your youth.  It’s good stuff.

I’ll tell you about Tuesday’s entertainment tomorrow as they’re also a part of the rest of the week in a bigger part. 

One of the key goals of That Thing is in the post-camp experience. It’s about helping develop long-term impact on their lives and how their faith is lived out.

So, as we help them discover the why and how, we want to offer them encouragement of being people who are missional in their lifestyles.  There are some awesome and amazing individuals who have learned how to live out love in their communities and who give love towards people they may never see or touch physically.  To encourage our students, it’s helpful for them to see other students who are doing exactly this. We are searching for student led ministries and students who have taken personal initiative in living missional. e.g.

Big World Dreamers - See need in far off places and find ways to support it - financially, prayerfully, physically, etc. (student inspired mission/work trips, fund-raising for aids or food or water, finding ways to fight slavery or work conditions, adopt a child, etc.)

Close to Home Thinkers -  Give care locally for the sake of care, not just church outreach events…things like food pantries, toys for kids, student support groups, emotional care to folks in nursing homes or hospitals, etc. 

Students are inspired by seeing other students just like them who have taken the initiative in leading the way.  This doesn’t have to be something or someone as big as Zach Hunter…it may be more influential when it is as local as the church across the street and by someone more real to them.  We want to highlight students and ways of living out love.  

I’d like to hear from you…what do you see locally.  Who do you know (students, youth groups, churches, etc.), where students are leading the charge in meeting people where they are.  We’d love to share their story and let their ministry be an inspiration to others.  So, leave me a comment, I’d like to hear about it.